Home, as a concept, had always felt like a convenient lie to Ass. It wasn't a place, really, it was a feeling- a feeling that the other Exorcists might've felt, or tricked themselves into feeling, but it remained far beyond anything Ass could comprehend for the majority of her existence. The barracks were just where she slept. Relaxing, feeling safe, letting down her guard, these weren't things she could do, regardless of location, so she didn't. Never. Even upon rejecting her halo and taking up residence in the hotel. Again, it was just a place, a room to sleep between shifts. There was more privacy in the hotel but it still wasn't home- at least, not by the definition others described.
And that was fine. Ass understood that the function of her existence didn't require her to feel any manner of happiness or ease. Her lot was to suffer every indignity and she at least got to do it her way- bitching about it the whole time. It wasn't all bad. She'd actually enjoyed her job in the hotel, doing mindless but necessary chores. Getting blamed for all sorts of shit. Fucking with the Ars Goetia. She had fun and a place to go back to, somewhere to sleep, and getting Venom made it feel like... she at least had a place in Hell. It wasn't home but it was somewhere to belong.
That first night, being tackled by the stubborn seraph into her bed and meeting that stubborn conviction with her own, that was home. Letting her guard down, relaxing- in Emily's arms, she found that feeling the others described. She found home.
But ever since Shamira, ever since taking up residence in Emily's apartment, home had started to become... a place. It wasn't just in her lovers' arms; it was Shamira's sword leaning against her ax beside the door as they took off their boots. It was ironing her shirts and Shamira's robes and Emily's dresses. It was doing dishes and handing them to Shamira to dry and Emily continued regaling them about her work day. It was flying lessons and landing on the balcony. A million small things they did together. That was home.
So when Emily sets three envelopes in front of her, potential new places, new homes- a pain settles in her chest. The apartment has become cramped as of late, sure- Ava isn't the easiest of roommates to cohabitate with- and Iris needs space to crawl and flutter and... well, nap, which she was most likely to be doing at any given moment.
But even if this has become home in a sense, it was always Emily's apartment in the back of her mind. These envelopes, though- if she offers her opinions, those could affect the decision. It wouldn't be just Emily's anymore. It would be hers, too. Hers, and Shamira's- theirs, together. Their place.
It should probably be scary. At least a little bit. It's a big decision.
But Ass can't help the smirk curling her lips.
She knows this was never in the cards for her. It's supposed to be impossible. Bottom of the barrel, butt of the joke- she's supposed to never get something this amazing. A home. With her lovers. And the little baby Exorcist currently drooling her shirt.
Ass reaches out and picks up one of the envelopes, looking forward to discovering the options before her.
Shamira never questioned her place.
It was a side effect of her... unique creation. Even upon realizing that she was more or less a parasite, implanted into another's body to suffocate the host and assume total control, Shamira didn't question it. She didn't have to; the answers were plain. Ass was meant to be destroyed and Shamira take her place; Ass simply refused this natural order and, somehow, they made it work. Now they had their own bodies, their own places, and Shamira understood hers to be by Ass' side, by Emily's. There was never a question in her mind.
So when the suggestion of moving to a new residence came, Shamira acknowledged it and acquiesced with ease. She had no particular attachment to locations- not to her previous post outside Sera's door, certainly- and as she'd taken up the habit of watching over little Iris as she slept, so the others could rest, Shamira didn't think changing residence would matter much to her. Wherever Iris was, wherever Emily was, wherever Ass was- that was her place now.
But the moment Ass picks up an envelope, Shamira is suddenly flooded with questions.
Where will the crib go? Will they need a bigger bed? Would they get their own rooms? What would she even put in a room? Would the kitchen be good enough? Was it possible to find a domicile with blast proof countertops?
Watching Ass struggle to open the envelope one handed snaps her out of the sudden deluge and she plucks the envelope free of the Fallen's grip, opening it and withdrawing the bundle of papers inside. She spreads them out so both of them can read and begins weighing the information provided.
The first option is a single floor, three bedroom, two bathroom, open floor layout with a modest kitchen, large living room, and a garage. She didn't understand the appeal of cars- some winners seemed to enjoy them, despite having wings- but figured the space would be converted for some better use. By the numbers, it was slightly bigger than the current apartment. If the three of them took the master bedroom, then the bedroom across the hall could be converted to a nursery and the remaining bedroom into an office for Emily. The garage could be used as a gym for her and Ass to train and spar. Which ultimately meant... it wouldn't be much of an upgrade. Sure, they would be minus one roommate, but if they were going to move into a bigger location, it should actually be bigger. And then she noticed the notations regarding the yard- front and back, which would be additional space they didn't have in the apartment. Still, it didn't seem much bigger.
Judging by the look on Ass' face, she had much the same thoughts. Thus, Shamira grabs the second envelope and opens it, neatly stacking the contents of the first aside.
The second option is two floors, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an attic, a basement, a living room, a den- there are a lot of rooms. Too many rooms, it feels like. The first floor alone is bigger than the apartment and the second floor is of equal size. A day room? What even is a day room? But the more Shamira looks at the floorplan, the easier it becomes to assign purpose to each room. Ass had mentioned before that Venom was but one example of the impressive variance among ball pythons. One room could house many such snakes and their enclosures. Shamira could have a room for painting or sculpting- whichever art style caught her eye, and with a door to keep Iris from potentially accessing something she shouldn't. An office for Emily. An expansive kitchen. A covered patio. It still seems like too much space for them. Especially with the garage- why do so many houses come with garages? But excess space is less of a problem than a lack of it.
Ass appears thoughtful, as if seriously debating the same conundrum. Shamira sets the second option aside and opens the third envelope even as Emily takes Iris from Ass, taking the little one for something called 'tummy time'.
The third option is one floor but with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, and a den. A kitchen and a breakfast nook. No attic but there is a basement. A garage again. A modest front yard and a bigger backyard. Fewer rooms than the second option and bigger than the first.
"Regardless of our pick," Ass says, as if she's talking to no one in particular. "I think you should turn the garage into an art studio. One of the bedrooms can be Em's new office."
"And for you?" Her voice is low- it can be difficult to get Ass to admit to her own desires, no matter what they might be, and she doesn't want to alert Emily. Yet.
Ass presses her lips into a thin line before sighing. "I want chickens."
Shamira blinks. "Chickens?"
"Look, over two centuries of always having chores- usually chores supporting hundreds of people... there's not enough chores between the three of us. Even with Iris. But whenever I went down to Wrath? There's always something to do on a farm. So... yeah. Chickens."
"You'll need an area outdoors, then. A big yard."
"Then the third option seems best." She points at the paperwork. "A well sized backyard. A garage. Not too many extraneous rooms."
"We can find uses for them."
"Desiring an office as well?"
"Nope; paperwork ain't my bag. But, an armory sounds kinda cool."
"It would be utterly pointless." Shamira pauses, then nods. "It sounds cool- a conceptual appeal that lacks substance. I suppose you have a point."
"So, we check this one out?"
"Well, that's all we need then, yeah?" Ass gets to her feet and gently knocks their foreheads together. "I'll let Em know. See when we can schedule a visit."
She doesn't question why an in person viewing is necessary. Because she already has the answer: it will make them happy. In the end, that's all that matters.
Them, together, happy- that's home to Shamira and she'll never question it.
